Background:

Cephalotaxine is an antiviral as well as antitumor agent.

[1]. Wang DZ, et al. Studies on the alkaloids of Cephalotaxus. IX. Semi-synthesis of cephalotaxine esters and their anti-leukemic activity Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1992;27(3):178-84. [2]. Efferth T, et al. Molecular modes of action of cephalotaxine and homoharringtonine from the coniferous tree Cephalotaxus hainanensis in human tumor cell lines. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2003 Jan;367(1):56-67.